THE LIBERAL CRITIQUE OF WYDEN-BENNETT (WONKY).

I'm on the record in my admiration for the Wyden-Bennett health reform plan. I think it's better than what Barack Obama offered during the campaign and better than what we're likely to get come the end of this process. I explain why here. But the Wyden-Bennett plan tends to be very popular among people who are interested in health economics and somewhat less popular among more traditional health care advocates. And they make a good point.

In my experience, their problem is not, as Jon Cohn suggests, that "liberals don't like the Wyden-Bennett plan...primarily because it lacks a public insurance option." That's a problem, but given the radicalism of the proposal, I'd take the trade. Rather, the concern is with the guts of the Wyden-Bennett cost control mechanisms.

About the Author

Ezra Klein is a former Prospect writer and current editor-in-chief at Vox. His work has appeared in the LA Times, The Guardian, The Washington Monthly, The New Republic, Slate, and The Columbia Journalism Review. He's been a commentator on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and more.